Invitation for submissions: Special collection to be published in Reading & Writing

We invite authors to participate in the special collection to be published in the open access scholarly journal Reading & Writing, published by AOSIS.

Theme: Rethinking literacy and pedagogic agency in the 4IR 

Deadline for submissions: 3 April 2023

Introduction

Recent global events have catapulted education into the digital age, requiring rapid adaptation in order for learning to continue. Teachers, teacher educators, those working in tertiary institutions and community organisations, as well as parents and learners, faced unprecedented challenges, especially in terms of their approaches to learning. Pedagogic agency, which refers to the educator’s ability to make informed instructional decisions based on learning needs and reflective considerations, was transformed as conceptions of the classroom shifted. These seismic changes call on those working in the education sector to consider the future of literacy education in a world increasingly located in technology, data and the knowledge economy.

This theme raises another issue. A pedagogical agent – a concept borrowed from computer science and artificial intelligence – refers to an avatar that simulates the role of a teacher in a digital learning environment. The adoption of the term foreshadows an area of uncertainty within education circles: what is the future of teaching? Are we adequately prepared for it? And how can those working in literacy instruction be supported to shift from traditional approaches to methods that will meet the needs of the future?

Recommended topics

Please note the following list is not exhaustive – authors are welcome to consult the Editors to check if their submission fits the aims of the special collection. Suggested papers:

• Literacy instruction in the digital age, new pedagogical approaches, blended learning
• Literacy in the 21st century, information and media literacy, digital literacy, the knowledge economy
• Teacher development, reflective practice, teachers as agents of change, the classroom as a learning laboratory, personalised learning
• Learning analytics, data in education management, artificial intelligence in education, the digital divide
• Open Educational Resources, the development and accessibility of resources, libraries in the 21st century
• Natural language processing, digital resources in African languages
• Early and emergent literacy, adolescent and adult literacy
• Family and community literacy
• Literacy practices in tertiary institutions
• Innovations in literacy

Submission procedure

To submit your article to the special collection, please visit rw.org.za. When you submit the article, select the ‘Original Research – Special Collection: Rethinking literacy and pedagogic agency in the 4IR’ as the article type. The submission portal will be accessible on rw.org.za after login in with your personal user credentials. For more details on the submission procedure, please visit https://bit.ly/3jWcWdn. All submissions will undergo anonymous review to guarantee high scientific quality and relevance to the subject. The final decision regarding acceptance/revision/rejection will be based on the reviews received from the reviewers and at the sole discretion of the Guest Editor and/or Editor-in-Chief.

Of course, we will be happy to provide you with any assistance during the submission and application process. Kindly enquire at submissions@rw.org.za.

We would be honoured to receive a positive reply from you and look forward to receiving your article.

Any inquiries can be directed to the attention of the Guest Editors:

• Zelda Barends: zbarends@sun.ac.za
• Dr Chinaza Uleanya: chinazauleanya@yahoo.com
• Prof Surette van Staden, vanstaden@up.ac.za

Other relevant information about the journal’s policies and the reviewing process can be found under the about section.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Support Enquiries

Please visit our FAQs page for any other information you may require, and email submissions@rw.org.za for your support inquiry.

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We look forward to partnering with you and unlock African knowledge to the world.

(Invitation for submissions: Special collection to be published in Reading & Writing)